Automatic lawn-sprinkler.



E. L. NICHOLSON.

AUTOMATIC LAWN SPRINKLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1912. 1 079,574. Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

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I 1 F M a" fizz E. L. NICHOLSON.

AUTOMATIC LAWN SPRINKLER.

APPLICATION FII ED MAY 28, 1912.

1,079,574. Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

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. J t u E 8. 7 7 2 g I I N COLUMBIA PMNOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON. D c.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR L. NICHOLSON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC LAWN-SPRINKLER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDGAR L. NICHOLSON, acitizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county ofLos Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and usefulAutomatic Lawn-Sprinkler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of automaticsprinklers which will evenly distribute a volume of water over aprescribed area of lawn or other surface that is desired to be irrigatedby sprinkling means.

It is an object of the invention to provide a sprinkler which isoperated automatically by the impulse or force of the fluid mediumcarried thereby.

Another object is to provide an easily adjustable sprinkler so thatareas of various sizes can be readily sprinkled without constantattention.

It is a further object to provide a sprinkler that will cover apredetermined rectangular area with an equal amount of moisture.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a front elevation of my device. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig.3 is a sectional side elevation taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows thereon. Fig. 4 is a rearelevation of the device. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5of Fig. 3 illustrating the pivotal relation of the nozzle and adjustablesupport. Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 3 of the nozzle showingits adjustable nozzle tip and spray.

fleretofore in automatic sprinkling devices an even distribution of thespraying medium over an exact and predetermined area has been extremelydifiicult, requiring considerable attention by an operator, and Iovercome these difliculties by means of-the device which is describedmore particularl'y herein in which 7 is a base or supporting medium ofsuflicient size to carry the working parts provided with means to securethe same to a larger support when desired. Projecting upward from theframe are the lugs 8-8 forming pivotal bearings for the hose connectionmember 9 by means of lugs 10 and hinge pin or rod 11. I have shown thehose connection 9 provided with the ordinary coupling 12 adapted toconnect the mechanism to the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 28, 1912.

Patented N 0v. 25, 1913. Serial No. 700,156.

ordinary flexible garden hose. The opposite end of the hose connector 9,is provided with the angular offset 13 suitably machined to accommodatethe beveled engaging end 14: of the nozzle 15 to provide a jointtherefor, the parts being held in contact by a tension arm spring 16adjustably mounted by means of suitable screw connection as at 17.

The arm 16 is provided with a recess placed axially in line with theelbow 14c to engage with the projection 18 to form the external pivotfor the nozzle. The nozzle is supplied with an adjustable tip 19 andspraying deflector 20 by which the stream of fluid can be regulated.

Preferably formed integral with and supported by the pivoted nozzle is aframe of substantial U shape 21, extending in a plane parallel with andin the axial-direction of the nozzle to a point somewhat above the topof the nozzle where the frame terminates in the main bearing 22 in whichis pivotally supported the shaft 23 carrying the motor wheel 24 on oneend and on the opposite end the worm 25. The motor wheel is of such sizeas to be easily operated by the action of the water without materiallyaffecting the spraying action, and is provided with a plurality ofpaddles 27 which I have preferably shown extending to one side of therim and hub connections so that a clear path is provided for the water,the plates extending into the plane of the axis of the nozzle. Suitablymounted upon the bearing 22, I have shown the oil or grease cup 26 sothat the working parts receive ample lubrication. The means of securingthe motor wheel are not shown, their proper adjustment involving meremechanical skill to assure their correct action and the properengagement of the worm 25 in the worm wheel 28 mounted on the shaft 29which in its turn is mounted in suitable bearings 30 on the frame 21which carries at its end the worm 31 engaging with the worm wheel 32 onthe third shaft 34 mounted in suitable bearing 35 on the frame 21. Shaft34 also carries a worm screw 36 engaging with a worm wheel 37 on theshaft 38. Shaft 34 carries a crank arm 39 provided with a-jslot 40 onwhich is mounted a movable bolt 41 provided with winged nut 42 and meansfor engaging the slot. Shafting 38 also carries crank arm 43 providedwith a slot 44 and a slide bolt45 with adjusting means similar to thatof the bolt 41. The crank arm 89 with its sliding connection in slot 40carries the bolt 41 on which isuniversally pivoted the connecting rod46, provided at its upper end the sleeve 50 on the shaft 51 suitablysupported by bearings 52 supported on the main frame 7.

The motion transmitted to the water wheel 24 by the impact of the wateron its paddles imparts to the shaft 34 with its crank arm 39 a rockingmotion to the hose connection member and its pivotal connections to theframe in the direction at right angles to the axis of the hoseconnection, the path by which it travels being regulated by shifting theuniversal bearings on the crank arm through its adjustable connections.To provide for the traveling of the nozzle in a plane at right .anglesto this latter, in a slower movement, the motion transmitted by thefurther train .of gearing as described heretofore is conveyed to thecrank arm 43 with its pivotal connections 53 universally. connecting theconnecting rod 54: and its universal pivotal connections 55 to the shaft56 mounted in suitable bearings 57 on the hose connector member 9, andthrough this mechanism imparts the travel necessary to provide for theproper distribution of the water over the predetermined area as beforestated. In order to readily shift the nozzle in this latter plane, theshaft 38 is provided with a spring coiled on the end opposite to thecrank arm and held in position by suitable means so that the pinion 37is normally held in contact with its engaging wheel 36. By compressingthe spring the shaft may be moved in the direction opposite to thespring action carrying the pinion 37 out of engagement and allowing thenozzle to be shifted to any desired angle in the axial plane of the hoseconnection so that the start may be from either termination of the limitof its path, the latter being readily understood as following azigzagcourse over .the area desired 'to be sprinkled and continuing in thiscourse until the flow of water is discontinued.

'What I claim and desire to secure Letters Patent for is 1. In anautomatic lawn sprinkler, a pivotally mounted hose connection member, anozzle member pivotally mounted on said hose connection member, andrevoluble fluid actuated means to move both members in differentdirections simultaneously.

2. In an automatic lawn sprinkler, a piv' otally mounted hose connectionmember, a nozzle member pivoted on said hose connec' tion member inoperative relation thereto, a

The lower end 1 water wheel mounted in the discharge path of the nozzlemember, and means connected to said water wheel to actuate said nozzleand said hose connection member.

3. In an automatic lawn sprinkler, the combination of a supportingframe, a hose connection member pivotally supported thereon, a nozzlemember pivoted to the said hose connection member, a water wheel mountedin the axial path of the nozzle, a connecting rod pivotally connected tothe frame and adjustably connected in relation with the water wheel, andmeans to actuate the same to rock the nozzle and hose connectionmembers.

4. In an automatic lawn sprinkler, a pivotally supported hose connectionmember, a nozzle member pivoted to the said hose connection member, awater wheel mounted in the axial plane of the nozzle, a connecting rodpivotally connected to the hose connection member and adjustablyconnected to a crank arm, and actuating means to oscillate the nozzlemember in relation to the hose connection member.

5. In an automatic lawn sprinkler, the combination of a supportingframe, a hose connection pivotally supported thereon, a nozzle pivotallyconnected with said hose connection, a water wheel with its paddlesmounted in the axial plane of the nozzle, worm gear on the shaft of thewater wheel, a train of intermediate gears, a crank arm mounted on ashaft actuated by said train of gears and adjustably connected with afixed point on the frame to rock the hose connection member and itscooperative member.

6. In an automatic lawn sprinkler, a pivotally supported hose connectionmember, a nozzle member pivoted to the said hose connection member andwater wheel with its paddles in the axial plane of the nozzle, a trainof gears connecting therewith to a plurality of crank arms tocooperatively oscillate the hose connection member and its nozzlemember.

7. In an automatic lawn sprinkler, a pivotally supported hose connectionmember, a nozzle member pivoted to said hose connection member,actuating gears to oscillate the hose connection in one plane and itsnozzle in a plane at right angles to the plane of oscillation of saidhose connection simultaneously and cooperatively, and means todisconnect one of said gears to permit the adjustment of said nozzle.

8. In an automatic lawn sprinkler, the combination of a supporting frameand hose connecting member pivotally secured thereon, a nozzle memberpivoted to said hose connecting member, a water wheel with its paddlesmounted in the axial plane of the nozzle, a supporting frame mounted onthe said nozzle member and provided with suitable hearings to support atrain of gears, a about another axis, and means rotated by pair of crankshafts carried in said bearings the stream from said nozzle to swingsaid and actuated by said gears, said gears being nozzle. arranged toprovide a slower movement of In witness that I claim the foregoing I 5the nozzle member than of the hose connechave hereunto subscribed myname this 21st 15 tion member. day of May, 1912.

9. In combination, a support, a tube, EDGAR L. NICHOLSON. means topivotally mount said tube to swing Witnesses: about an axis; a nozzle,means to pivotally EDMUND A. STRAUsE, 1O connect said nozzle with saidtube to swing EARLE R. POLLARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0.

